Lacrosse racket



. Jan.l 3, 1939,I

LACROSSE RACKET Filed sept. 2'1, 1937 2 sheets-sheet 1 3 P i; m

OBER T @OSM/Uv' Poo/ R. B.' POOL 2,142,52 7

Jan. 3,I 1939. R. B POOL 2,142,527

LACROS SE RACKET Filed Sept. 2l. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 Syvum ROBE/Q T Bos/wmv Poo/ Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention refers to athletic game apparatus and more particularly to the rackets used for the game of lacrosse. It has among its objects to provide a new type of lacrosse' racket that will have features conspicuously distinct from former and conventionall types, of particular value to the players for whom they are intended. One feature is to have the racket bilateral or usable by right or left-hand players with equal facility. Another feature is to have the frame adaptable for construction out of one piece of material bent to the desired form. Still another feature is to arrange the handle of the racket, so that it will be cushioned against internal vibration; `while others are provided to make the cost of manufacturing more economical; the shot apron to smooth out the propelling action to the "call, and a stop guard brace to stiifen, strengthen and lessen the breaking possibilities of the racket. Other features will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

The conventional type of racket is more or less a left-hand or right-hand playing device, and limits the possible eld of its use. In the racket of this invention, the design makes it relatively universal, as it can be played either right or left hand with the same effectiveness. The conventional type of racket is made with an opened and uncontrolled frame, which is fundamentally structurally weak. The new racket is structurally strong because the frame is closed and locked together. The frame also serves to provide a faster delivery, since the friction of cords lapping on the ball as it leaves or enters the net of the racket is eliminated. The usual racket is constructed with strings of clock cord which is soaked in water before use and is more or less dicult to handle and use. In this inventionthe strings are made with linen cord that needs no soaking or preparation before use and Wears just as long and effectively as the other, while at the same time, is easier, more eicient, and more economical to use. The shot apron is not attached to the frame, but covers the location of the net which entwines about it, Where its effectiveness seems most advantageous. The use of linen string instead of the leather or gut strings, is new, and was not heretofore considered capable of withstanding the severe usages of the game, but applicant has found same to be serviceable and appreciates the value of its new function, including same in this application as a part of his invention. The particular form of knot used by applicant in this racket is especially suitable for the purpose and is termed an intertwined knot.

In the construction Vshown in the drawings, which indicate an embodiment of this invention:

Figure 1 is .a front view of a lacrosse racket embodying this invention,

Figure 2 is a side view of the same with the handle partially broken away,

Figure 3 is `an enlarged detail of the stop used in this racket,

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the net knot used in Stringing the racket,

-Figure 5 is a detail of the shot apron removed from the racket tomake its construction clearly apparent,

Figure Gis a section taken along the line 6--6 of Figure l Vto show the type of frame'lacing used.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the construction shown, the frame of a racket is formed by `bending a single piece of wood or other material into the shape indicated. This provides a at top portion I, or V-like section; a pair of symmetrical side pieces 2 made bevelled and relatively flat with the edges rounded. These side pieces converge from the top portion towards the bottom 3 of the bat portion, where they join together into a single handle form 4 of rounded section made to suit the players hands. The handle portion is formed by shaping the material into semi-circular sections and causing the diametrical faces 5 to meet closely. However, these faces are kept slightly apart by a thin gasket of cork 6 or similar resilient material. The parts of the handle are preferably joined and held together by screws 1, suitably spaced.

The net of the racket consists of about four sets of longitudinal thongs 8 inserted through round holes 9 in the top portion I, and knotted into same as indicated at I0, in sets of two. The other end portions I2 of the thongs are secured into holes II, at the junction portion 3, where they are given a free knot tie I3, as shown. Suspension longitudinal throngs I 4 are tied in holes I5 at the top portion of the sides 2, and I6,'near the junction portion adjacent to but spaced away from the holes 9 and Il respectively. The suspension thongs serve as side loop holders for the cross twining and Stringing of the cords I'I preferably of linen, which also intwine with the other thongs as indicated in the drawings. The suspension thongs are further interlaced to the side pieces 2 by the laces |18 laced through the holes Cil I9 in these side pieces. The shot apron preferably consists of leather pieces 20 provided with a series of spaced holes 2l arranged for the net strings and thongs to pass through and hold it in place.

The net formed by the strings and thongs is provided with a pocket portion 22, adapted to catch or center the ball played with, and is located to Suit the rackets use.

Near the junction portion of the frame, a stop guard 23 is provided and securely fastened in place. This stop guard consists of a rigid piece formed as shown and fitted into between the side pieces. It is provided with holes 24, for the thongs to pass through and thus definitely position same to suit.

The stop guard preferably projects downwardly from the back of the frame a distance about equal to that in contact with inside of the frame, as indicated in the drawings. The purpose of this extension in this type of racket is to give a definite and positive curved contour to the pocket portion 22 of the net, in back of the frame, and thus enable same to catch the ball and hold it more securely. The use of the solid stop guard prevents breaking of theframe and also prevents the ball wedging in the fork at 3 and allowing the player to get a foul advantage over the other players. In the conventional types of rackets, the arrangements used at this portion of the frame do not prevent breaking of the frame and creates a pocket at this throat that permits the wedging of the ball, while not providing the curved pocket shown herewith, which is so effective in the game.

The screws 25, passing through holes 26 in the frame, serve to secure the stop guard in place. The bowed or arcuate edge 2 of the guard and the holes 24 therein serve to give the thongs and net of the racket the stretched channel form indicated in the drawings. By placing this guard stop in the location shown, the area of the net is Yshortened and greatly increases the speed of playing. `It provides a quick catch, the necessary travelling movement of the ball in the bowed net tunnel in an expeditious manner, while the bevelled sides of the side pieces 2, on either side of the frame enables the throw to be short, unobstructed, and comparatively frictionless.

The net, being made complete and independent of the frame, except at the holes where the thongs knot into and the laces I8 engage, permit the same to be formed as a unit to be applied or removed from the frame very readily, while all the adjustment and tightening of the thongs may be done to suit.

In operation, the racket is used in a conven tional manner, both hands being used by the player to manipulate the same. He can hold it left-hand or right-bandas the racket has symmetrically formed side pieces, and work the racket effectively. It permits the player to throw the missile used in double the number of directions permitted by the non-closed hook frame now generally used, and thereby increases the flexibility of its use and the skill of the player, while rendering the game more intricate and interesting. The missile is caught in the net, settled in the pocket, or guided about the net within the limits set by the top portion of the frame and the stop guard. The latter definitely keeps the ball from ilying up the handle and acts to increase the strike actions of the user on the missile. This guard greatly increases the strength V of the frame and prevents its being broken or materially damaged in use. It also controls the form of the net and keeps the latter from sagging or getting out of the desired shape required for playing with the racket. The cork gasket takes up the vibratory action of the handle and makes it more comfortable for the playing, effectively dampening any stinging effects to the hands of the user that might otherwise occur, when the game missile struck the racket. The use of linen cord in place of the conventional leather or clock cord thongs is to avoid the objections found in practice in the transverse Stringing through the use of the latter materials. These materials are so affected by the weather and use as to make the width of the openings in the network vary considerably, and make the racket strike erratically. The use of linen cord has been found, after considerable experience and empirical investigation, to provide a cross Stringing that would be effective against these weather and atmospheric conditions, to the greatest extent. The use of linen string for playing use with lacrosse rackets was not considered practical before this invention, and is a new use for this specific material and has been found to meet the several requirements of the game more satisfactorily than the conventional materials of the past.

The linen string provides these new features because of its greater flexibility than rawhide or leather, and by reason of the fact that the pitch between knots where it is laced on the thongs makes its use more practical. The use of the apron 20, with the linen Stringing knotted on same, keeps the apron flexible and less bulky I,

at the knots. This permits the missile played with to be handled more effectively. The Stringing can be readily varied in design through the use of the linen string and in a manner that would be impractical if leather or rawhide cross connections were used.

While but one form of the invention is shown in the drawings, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to the particular form indicated, otherwise than limited by the prior art,

as it is appreciated thatl other constructions might be used, employing the same principles and coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:-

l. A lacrosse racket comprising in combination, a closed frame, a handle attached to the frame, and a net interlaced between the side pieces of the frame and having a ball pocket .f

formed therein for the manipulation of the missile used in the game, and a shot apron interlaced in the net and spaced from the frame.

2. A lacrosse racket comprising in combination, a closed frame, a handle attached to the frame, and a net of linen Stringing interlaced between the side pieces of the frame and having a ball pocket formed therein for the manipulation of the missile used in the game, a shot apron interlaced in the net and spaced from the frame, and a solid stop guard rigidly mounted between the said sides of the frame for reinforcing same and extending beyond the rear contour of the frame for shaping the form of the net.

3. In a lacrosse racket, a frame formed into a closed loop shape, a handle attached at one end portion of the loop adjacent its fork, a plurality of longitudinal thongs extending down and across the said frame, and a plurality of linen strings interlaced and intertwined across and about the thongs to form a non-enlarging net for pocketing the missile used in the game, and a guard of rigid material disposed in the frame and extending to form a bridge beyond the rear thereof to reduce the pocketing area of the net and keeping the missile used with the racket away from the handle and its fork.

4. A racket of theclass described, comprising in combination, a loopframe having its upper portion relatively straight with its side pieces pending therefrom to an acute angle apex in a symmetrical manner, a handle extending from the apex portion having its members formed from the extended side pieces in symmetrical manner brought adjacent to each other to provide a single rounded stick for hand grasping, means for tightly securing the said pieces of the handle together, a net for the frame consisting of longitudinal thongs running from the upper portion thereof to the apexed portion and tied into holes therein, with a plurality of transverse strings crossing and intertwining around the said thongs to provide a net construction, and a shot apron near the upper portion of the frame and net on Which it is mounted, for providing a portion for receiving the missile of the game and stiffener for the net.

5. A racket of the class described, comprising in combination, a loopl frame of one piece of material having its upperv portion relatively straight with its side pieces pending therefrom to an acute angle apex in a symmetrical manner, a handle extending from the apex portion having its members formed from the extended side pieces in symmetrical manner brought adjacent to each other to provide a single rounded stick for hand grasping, means for tightly securing the said pieces of the handle together, a net for the frame consisting of longitudinal thongs running from the upper portion thereof to the apexed portion and tied into holes therein, with a plurality of linen transverse strings crossing and intertwining around the said thongs to provide a net construction, and a shot apron near the upper portion of the frame and net on which it is mounted, for providing a portion for receiving the missile of the game and stiiener for the net, a solid stop guard mounted and secured rigidly between the side pieces of the frame with a portion extending substantially beyond the rear outline of the frame and contoured to stretch the net out into a bellied form for effectively grasping the said ball and restricting the movement of same over the area of the net, and means interiorly disposed in the handle securely tying same together and for cushioning the same and elimihating vibratory effects therein.

ROBERT BOSMAN POOL. 

